Born and raised in Carmel Valley, California, Chris Cope began training in karate when he was eight years old before progressing into Taekwondo and then Kempo.
While at Carmel High School, he added kickboxing to his game and began to fight on the local mixed martial arts circuit.
Cope was one of only four juniors to earn a spot on the 1999–2000 Carmel High Varsity basketball team, which featured several future college players.
This trip, which combined intense physical training with deep spiritual reflection, was to have a profound effect on Cope's athletic and philosophical development.
Soon after, Cope committed himself to further developing his mixed martial arts repertoire and began grappling with jiu-jitsu expert Jeff Glover to further round out his overall skills.
Upon completion of his courses in 2005, Cope joined AKA MMA and trained with the likes of Josh Koscheck, Phil Baroni and Mike Swick.
Three months later he drove south to San Diego and began training with K. J. Noons and Tyrone Glover and, shortly after, turned pro where he amassed a 4–1 overall record.
He made his official UFC debut June 4, 2011 on The Ultimate Fighter 13 Finale card, fighting against fellow semifinalist and teammate, Chuck O'Neil.